*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -<ul type="disc"> <li>Proposers must submit their SBIR/STTR Phase II proposal within 6 to 24 months after the start date of their relevant NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I award.Please reference your NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I award notice for award start date.Note that this submission window is NOT extended by no-cost extensions.</li> <li>Firms qualifying as a small business concern are eligible to participate in the NSF SBIR/STTR programs (seethe<a href="https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/elig_size_compliance_guide.pdf">Guide to SBIR/STTR Program Eligibility</a>for more information). Please note that the size limit of 500 employeesincludes affiliates. The firm must be in compliance with the<a href="https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/SBA%20SBIR_STTR_POLICY_DIRECTIVE_May2023.pdf">SBIR/STTR Policy Directive</a>and the<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/">Code of Federal Regulations</a>. For STTR proposals, the proposing small business concern must also include a partner research institution in the project, see additional details below.</li> </ul> An organization whose Phase I award has been terminated by NSF will not be permitted to submit a Phase II proposal predicated on the terminated award. Similarly, an organization whose Phase I award has been suspended by NSF pending a potential investigation may not submit a Phase II proposal while the suspension persists. If the suspension lasts longer than the normal 24-month window to submit the Phase II proposal, and the Phase I award is later reinstated, NSF will provide additional time to complete the Phase I project and submit the Phase II proposal. In compliance with the<a href="https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4346/generated/BILLS-117hr4346enr.html#toc-HDB5106E4976A48BC8DCFD1DA6D26E29A">CHIPS and Science Act of 2022</a>, Section 10636 (Person or entity of concern prohibition; 42 U.S.C. 19235): No person published on the list under section 1237(b) of the<a href="https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ261/PLAW-105publ261.pdf">Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999</a>(Public Law 105-261; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) orentity identified under section 1260hof the<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/06/28/2021-13753/notice-of-designation-of-chinese-military-companies-under-the-william-m-mac-thornberry-ndaa-for-fy21">William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021</a>(<a href="https://policy.defense.gov/portals/11/Documents/hdasa/references/10%20USC%20113%20(Note).pdf#:~:text=10%20U.S.C.%20%C2%A7113%20%28Note%29%20Sec.%20113%20%28Note%29%20Database,of%20emergency%20response%20capabilities%20that%20includes%20the%20following%3A">10 U.S.C. 113 note</a>;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ283/PLAW-116publ283.pdf">Public Law 116-283</a>) may receive or participate in any grant, award, program, support, or other activity under the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. Individuals who are a current party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program are not eligible to serve as a Senior/Key Person on an NSF proposal or on any NSF award made after May 20, 2024. See current PAPPG for additional information on required certifications associated with Malign Foreign Talent Organization. The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must certify that all individuals identified as Senior/Key Personnel have been made aware of and have complied with their responsibility under that section to certify that the individual is not a party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program. The startup&rsquo;s or small business&rsquo; Research and Development (R&amp;D) must be performed within the United States. Startups and small businesses funded by NSF must be majority U.S.-owned companies. NSF does not fund proposals from companies that are majority-owned by one or more venture capital operating comp